HN Andersen with his impressive signature below.
istic domicile in Holbergsgade was inaugurated. But in the spring of 1908, shortly before the move a young man named Ernst Mazar de la Garde (son of the postmaster in Ribe) visited. He had applied for a job in the company’s teak forests in Northern Siam and was called for an interview: His observations give a lot of atmosphere.
Eyewitness account When entering the office Ernst Mazar de la Garde immediately saw that “it was much too small to contain the office staff the company already then needed”, nevertheless:
“The office was marked by an unmistakable, impressive dignity, I can almost say distinction. I was interviewed by the Head of Office, later Managing Director, Mr. Madsen Mygdal who was dressed. in a frockcoat; he questioned me for a long time and finally asked whether I was married. I showed him my ring-less finger – That’s good, he said with a smile. The conditions in the teak forests are not suitable for white women. Furthermore the salaries are not big enough for that.” “With an excuse Mr. Madsen Mygdal left me. He walked towards a door, about which I at once got
the impression that it wouldn’t give access to all and everybody. I noticed a certain deference in his attitude, when he knocked the door; and when he carefully and silently opened he delivered a deep bow.” “A moment later he came out and told me that Etatsraaden wanted to see me. A moment later I stepped over the great man’s threshold”. The quotations above are from Mazar de la Garde, Ernst (1945): ‘Among Teak trees and Elephants’. Koebenhavn. My translation. Etatsraad can be intepreted as Titular Counselor of State.
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‘Kromatah’ Former Foreign Minister of Siam and a lifelong friend. The painting hang right outside Andersens office. Andersen developed Oriental Avenue on Kromatahs land and erected various buildings, including EAC Headquarters and many bungalows.
H.N. Andersen’s corner office. One of the first telephones in Denmark belonged to him and the company. The entrance door with windbreak seen from inside the counter. H.N. Andersens own maritime dispensary. The original table of The Board of Directors, EAC. The big counter where all visitors were met. Loading documents and stevedore’s notes. The famous globe that followed EAC to the new Headquarters in Holbergsgade.
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